This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
liquidambar styraciflua - to prune or not to prune
Hi All,
I recently blind purchased some 200/250cm liquidambar styraciflua. I was expecting to receive "trees" which would have had at least the bottom 60cm or more clear stemmed.
What I received were plants with branches remaining right from the base. Varying branch thickness and unfortunately varying degrees of balance have left me with a conundrum.
At a quick glance I thought it might be nice to plant them as they are however my original plan was to eventually have clear stems of approximately 150 - 175 cm. They are being planted along a 5 foot garden fence.
My fear when attempting to prune them (notwithstanding that time is running out if not already run out to prune this season) is that I'll be left with gnarly stems as some of the side branches are already rather strong.
Any suggestions either way would welcomed
I recently blind purchased some 200/250cm liquidambar styraciflua. I was expecting to receive "trees" which would have had at least the bottom 60cm or more clear stemmed.
What I received were plants with branches remaining right from the base. Varying branch thickness and unfortunately varying degrees of balance have left me with a conundrum.
At a quick glance I thought it might be nice to plant them as they are however my original plan was to eventually have clear stems of approximately 150 - 175 cm. They are being planted along a 5 foot garden fence.
My fear when attempting to prune them (notwithstanding that time is running out if not already run out to prune this season) is that I'll be left with gnarly stems as some of the side branches are already rather strong.
Any suggestions either way would welcomed
0
Posts
They are beautiful trees, my neighbour planted one about 10 years ago.
Do bear in mind that in time they will eventually get to 60-70ft high and their extensive root system will spread about the same distance and can cause damage to buildings.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Plant your trees ...then next winter, once they have developed new roots, remove the bottom branches.
Make sure you give each one plenty of space.
Pic below was taken in November.
As you have so many are they "fastigiata" or "slender silhouette"? These will grow at a moderate pace and 'eventually' get to about 40 feet. Don't worry about foundation damage..well not yet.. potential foundation damage from trees tends be over estimated in most cases.
Many thanks for taking the time to provide some feedback on my query. I purchased them from a distributor who wouldn't have the time nor expertise to help me with them to be honest.
I am going to strip the bottom 45/50 cm and then lightly prune the branches on the next 30 cm I think. I'll revisit the issue then next winter.
I'm not sure which specific variety they are. They will get big but I'm hoping to keep manners on them for as long as possible
Does anyone know how easy or hard it would be to attempt a pleaching of sorts with these trees?